a bad situation that you find upsetting.

It's a sad state of affairs when schools don't provide a basic education for their students.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form a sad state:

Things have reached a sad state when you have to pay a bribe to get something done.

altho "sad state of affairs" is mainly spoken, "sorry state of affairs" is not--SL, 9/02

• the works
• the world and his wife
• the world is oyster
• the world is your oyster
• the worm has turned.
• the worse for wear
• the worst-case scenario
• the worst of both worlds
• the writing is on the wall
• the writing on the wall
• the wrong side of the tracks
• They broke the mould when they made someone.
• They broke the mould when they made something.
• They can whistle for it!
• thick skin
• thick-skinned
• thin end of the wedge
• thing is
• thing of the past
• thing or two
• things have come reached a pretty pass
• things have come to a pretty pass
• think again
• think are God's gift to women
• think back